NAF Restructures Command to Reflect New Vision
By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced a major reshuffle of its top command structure as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and align the Service with the strategic vision of the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
In a statement signed Friday by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the NAF said the redeployment, approved by the CAS, affects more than 20 senior officers across Headquarters NAF, field commands and operational units. The exercise, according to the statement, aims to strengthen synergy, improve decision-making processes and boost mission readiness in line with the Service’s renewed focus on purpose, professionalism and progress.
Among those affected are Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Abubakar Abdullahi, now Chief of Policy and Plans; AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun, Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna; AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye, Group Managing Director, Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited (NAFIL) Group of Companies; and AVM Precious Amadi, Chief of Operations. AVM Nnamdi Ananaba becomes Chief of Air Intelligence, while AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe takes charge as Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation.
Other key appointments include AVM Ahmed Dari as Chief of Training, AVM Mohammed Ibrahim as Chief of Transformation and Innovation, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina as Chief of Aircraft Engineering and AVM Michael Onyebashi as Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Mobility Command. The NAF also named AVM David Pwajok as Chief of Communication and Information Systems and AVM John Ukeh as Air Provost Marshal.
Further strengthening administrative and welfare structures, AVM Simon Peter was appointed Managing Director, NAFIL Housing and Construction Company; AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka, Air Secretary; AVM Anthony Martins, Chief of Administration; AVM Abubakar Sule, AOC, Logistics Command; and AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun, Managing Director, NAF Farms. The post of Chief of Civil-Military Relations goes to AVM Edward Gabkwet, while AVM Osichinaka Ubadike becomes Deputy Commandant, AFIT.
The NAF described the reshuffle as a strategic step to ensure balanced leadership, enhance institutional effectiveness and sustain the momentum of transformation under Air Marshal Aneke’s leadership. The statement added that with this new wave of appointments, the Nigerian Air Force is poised to consolidate its achievements and usher in an era of smarter, more adaptive air operations that reflect the CAS’s vision of a Force built not merely for power but for purpose, protection and progress.
